Nationwide — Semyon Williams Jr., a 13-year-old African American teen from Little Elm, Texas, has suffered a life-changing injury after diving into a shallow community pool to escape a wasp. The accident tragically resulted in a spinal cord injury that has left him paralyzed.In a panic from the wasp, Williams who is also known as SJ, jumped into the pool unaware of its depth, according to his grandfather.
“He just recalls hitting his head and he even indicated that it felt as if his arms were not part of his body because of the fact that he couldn’t feel,” SJ’s grandfather Louis Camper told NBC DFW.
His friend, who also jumped in, initially thought SJ was just joking until he realized he couldn’t move.
“He turns him over, and that’s when he’s asking him, ‘Are you playing?’ and SJ’s like, he can speak, but he’s like, ‘I can’t feel anything.’ You know, he’s freaking out. He’s like, ”Help me! I can’t feel — I can’t feel my arms, my legs. Help me, call my mom,'” SJ’s mother Anya Camper said.
SJ was rushed to Children’s Health in Dallas, where doctors diagnosed him and confirmed he suffered a serious spinal cord injury. His family was devastated when the doctor said he might be quadriplegic.
“You hear about things like this, you see things like this, you never expect it to be your story until it is. When it comes to your front door it shakes you, that’s exactly what it’s done for us,” Anya said.
The same day, SJ underwent surgery to stabilize his fractured vertebrae and prevent further damage. SJ’s future remains uncertain, but the family is staying strong to support him.
His family has set up a GoFundMe to help with mounting medical costs, as Anya had to leave her job to be with SJ and care for her two other sons. It has so far raised over $42,000.
“As a mom, it’s just really heartbreaking; I’m literally helpless. As a mom you’re supposed to fix things, and I can’t fix it. So I’m just praying for help in any kind of way,” Anya said.